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Winter Warrior

From sporty furs to updated leather pieces, it’s time to take a closer look at the coats that will shield you from winter’s cold while sheathing you in style.

In winter, a man’s coat often creates the first impression, so the choice is an important one. It is critical to invest in a style that is flattering but also finds the right balance between “on trend” and “timeless”—something that will age well as a foundation piece in your wardrobe for a few years to come.

This season, menswear designers explored new and creative ways for guys to confidently wear fur, and they also experimented with the proportions of the classic silhouette of a straight wool and cashmere blend coat.

And that old standby, the leather jacket, appeared in a myriad of alternatives, making it easier than ever to find the one that fits just right.

A man in a fur coat is not an easy sell. Thoughts of the heavy full-length coats worn by 1920s money men or seedy 1970s street hustlers are often the first thing that comes to mind, but don’t dismiss pelts so fast.

A lot of progress has been made in the fur industry over the past decade to transform fur into a material as malleable as textiles without losing its supple “touchy-feely” appeal.

This season designers offered up some interesting and very unconventional fur options, including a mélange of different types of furs in the same coat, and pairing fur with other materials to give it a trendy edge. Top fur options came from Lanvin, Alexander Wang, and Jil Sander, brands that cut fur in sporty styles.

For something a bit more over the top, it doesn’t get much better than the pieces mixing pelts from Maison Martin Margiela.

The go-to coat for most professional men is the classic straight and long option. But, just as we’ve seen in womenswear this season, there is a general move to make these coats more roomy.

Structure and fit have given way to a looser shape, one with minimal seams that cocoons the body in muted shades such as those seen on the catwalks of Alexander McQueen, Mugler, and Burberry.

But if there is one sure bet for outerwear this winter it’s a leather coat. Leather was all over the fall/winter 2013 runways, with everything from jackets, shirts, trenches, and even trousers shown in an array of colors, ready to add a touch of rocker glam to your wardrobe.

Leather jackets are a perennial favorite for men, rarely falling from the graces of the fashion world. Of course, the staple has been slightly updated for this season: In addition to coats cut in the oversized shapes that have become a major trend this fall, leather was bonded to other fabrics in hybrid outerwear pieces, as seen at the Bottega Veneta and Valentino shows.

So as temperatures drop, instead of dusting off last year’s winter coat, stay both warm and in style with new options that run the gamut from elegant to edgy.